Malta will be represented by 19-year-old cross-country skier Jenny Axisa Eriksen at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, marking the nation’s fourth appearance at the Winter Games.

Axisa Eriksen has already etched her name into the history books as the first cross-country skier to represent the Maltese islands on the Olympic stage. Born to a Maltese mother and a Norwegian father, she began skiing at a young age, eventually rising through the ranks of elite competition. Her journey to the Olympics was solidified at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, where she officially secured her qualification.

Transition to Senior Level
This season serves as Axisa Eriksen’s debut as a senior athlete. To prepare for the intensity of the Olympic Games, she has been training rigorously in Lillehammer with Team Hedmark Sjusjøen under the tutelage of coach Henrik Pedersen. Her preparation has involved a demanding schedule of high-level events, including the Scandinavian Cup in Östersund, Sweden, and the German Cup in Hohenzollern-Abersee.

Opening Ceremony and Team Malta
The Maltese flag will be carried by Axisa Eriksen during the Opening Ceremony of the Predazzo Cluster on 6 February at the Ski Jumping Stadium.

The Maltese contingent is led by Chef de Mission Maria Vella-Galea (MOC Director of Media and PR), joined by Charlene Attard (Director of Sport) and coach Henrik Skjervold Pedersen. MOC President Julian Pace Bonello and Secretary General Kevin Azzopardi will also be in attendance as guests of the International Olympic Committee.

Malta’s Winter Olympic Legacy
Milano Cortina 2026 continues a growing tradition for Malta at the Winter Games. Axisa Eriksen follows in the footsteps of previous Maltese winter Olympians:

• Elise Pellegrin (Alpine Skiing): Sochi 2014 & PyeongChang 2018
• Jenise Spiteri (Snowboarding): Beijing 2022